CA mulls saving youngsters from IPL

In a bid to discourage youngsters from joining the lucrative Indian Premier League, Cricket Australia is mulling over increasing their contract values, according to a report.

Young players like Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Usman Khawaja will represent good value for IPL franchises who are increasingly not inclined to spend upon big names.

"Exciting NSW rookie Steve Smith is certain to command attention from IPL franchises after his role in the Blues' Champions League victory," a report in the 'Sydney Morning Herald' said.

The plan was formulated before a recent Australian Cricketers' Association poll of contracted players which suggested 22 per cent would be prepared to turn down a CA deal to have a freelance Twenty20 career.

Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke and Doug Bollinger are three Aussie Test players expected to be offered huge sums to follow their teammates into the IPL, according to the report.

Each signing, however, has the potential to weaken CA's 'ownership' of its stars. When the IPL started it said there was no intention of interfering with the 'sovereignty' of ICC member nations, but cracks have started to appear, it said.

While IPL boss Lalit Modi said the organisation respected each player's international commitments, it does not respect domestic duties -- hence the threat of 'retribution' against Aussie players if they don't skip the final round and final of the Sheffield Shield, the report added.